Complete guide to studying in Canada
Everything you need to know about becoming an international student in Canada
Top reasons to study in Canada
- Abundance of beautiful nature to explore and enjoy
- Access to world class universities
- High quality of life with great culture, food and customs
- Study in English or French
A quick introduction to Canada
Canada is a vast country located in the continent of North America, the second largest country by area in the world. It is also a country with very low population density, with the highest concentration of its inhabitants living in the south of the country, where it shares a border with the United States.
Visitors to Canada can enjoy some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with vast rocky mountain ranges, natural parklands, forests, lakes and more to explore.
Students choosing to study in Canada will benefit from a high quality of life, with U.S. News ranking Canada as 5th in the world for quality of life due to its education levels, healthcare, economic stability and healthy job market.
As an international student, you will find that the population of Canada is very diverse, with a recent census indicating that 4 in 10 people in Canada report that they have more than one country of origin.
With so many benefits to offer international students, it is not surprising that Canada is a highly popular choice for studying abroad, and with over 1,000,000 foreign students studying in the country in 2023, it ranks as the third most popular destination in the world for foreign student enrollment.
There are two official languages in Canada, English, which is the first language of around 55% of the population, and French, which is the first language of around 22% of the population. This is reflected in the countries of origin of international students in Canada, where French students account for over 20,000 of the current student population.
Canada is a popular study destination for students around the world, with the majority of international students arriving from countries including India, China, the Philippines, France, Nigeria, Iran and Nepal.
Canada is governed by both its national government, and the governments of its ten provinces. There are also three territorial governments. The universities of the country are operated by the provincial and territorial governments.
For you as a student, the quality of your study experience will be broadly the same regardless of which province your chosen university is located in, but your lifestyle and even the language you study in may differ between provinces and territories.
Canada’s higher education system
Universities
There are around 96 public universities in Canada, the majority of which are part of the membership organisation named Universities Canada, which advocates for the universities in government and aims to build collaboration both between Canadian universities and also their international partners.
The public universities can be divided into their regional provinces as follows:
- Alberta – 9 universities
- British Columbia – 12 universities
- Manitoba – 6 universities
- New Brunswick – 4 universities
- Nova Scotia – 9 universities
- Newfoundland & Labrador – 1 university
- Ontario – 29 universities
- Prince Edward Island – 1 university
- Québec (which is the primarily French speaking province of Canada) – 19 universities
- Saskatchewan – 6 universities
There are also several privately funded universities in Canada, including institutions such as Yorkville University, which has campuses in 4 Canadian cities, and University Canada West, which is based in the city of Vancouver.
Many of the oldest private universities in Canada are non-secular, such as Tyndale University in Toronto and Ambrose University in Alberta.
Study timetable
Academic years at Canadian universities generally begin in September and end the following May/June. Years are divided into two semesters.
The first semester in Canada is often called the Fall semester and commences in September, ending in December, with a break over the Christmas and new year period.
The second semester, usually named the Winter semester, but also named Spring semester in some provinces, begins in January and will usually end in May.
The period between the end of the second semester and the start of the next academic year is called the summer semester, during which most students will enjoy a break from their studies.
This differs slightly in the province of Québec, where the Fall semester runs from September to December, the Winter semester runs from January to April, and the Summer semester from May to August.
Similarly to colleges in the United States, most universities in Canada offer optional summer semester classes for students who wish to continue their studies over the summer period.
Study levels
University study in Canada follows the 3 cycle system, which means that studies in the country are divided as follows:
Cycle 1 – Undergraduate
Bachelors degrees in Canada take between 3-4 years of full-time study to complete.
Cycle 2 – Graduate
Masters degrees in Canada generally take 2 years of full-time study to complete
Cycle 3 – Post-graduate
Doctoral programmes usually take 4 years of full-time study to complete
University rankings
To help choose your university, you may want to consult world university ranking tables to assist with your decision. These rankings generally take into account factors that will have a direct effect on your studies, such as the staff to student ratio, and factors that may have a direct effect on your future, such as employability of university graduates.
Our table below shows the top 15 Canadian universities according to 3 well-known world university rankings:
| University | Times Higher Education World University Ranking | Best Global Universities | QS World University Ranking |
| University of Toronto | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| University of British Columbia | 41 | 39 | 38 |
| McGill University | 49 | 56 | 29 |
| McMaster University | 103 | 127 | 176 |
| University of Alberta | 109 | 150 | 96 |
| Université de Montréal | 111 | 174 | 159 |
| University of Waterloo | 158 | 192 | 115 |
| University of Ottawa | 177 | 218 | 189 |
| University of Calgary | 201–250 | 206 | 198 |
| Western University | 201–250 | 311 | 120 |
| Université Laval | 251–300 | 439 | 423 |
| Queen’s University | 251–300 | 359 | 193 |
| Simon Fraser University | 251–300 | 408 | 319 |
| Dalhousie University | 301–350 | 352 | 275 |
| University of Manitoba | 351–400 | 417 | 661-670 |
Climate
Due to the vast size of Canada’s landmass, its climate is varied, but it is known for its cold, snowy winters. International students moving to Canada will find it useful to learn about the weather they can expect in the location they will be moving to.
The west coast of Canada
On the Pacific west coast of the country, Vancouver is one of the major university cities in the province of British Columbia, home to universities such as Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.
The region generally doesn’t receive as much snowfall as other areas of Canada, and while it is entirely normal to see snow during the winter, winters in this province are amongst the mildest in Canada.
Summers in BC are cooler, with high temperatures of 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit), while rainfall does tend to be higher than average in the region thanks to the spectacular North Shore Mountains. Summers get milder and winters harsher the further inland you travel in the province.
The Prairies
As you move further inland into the Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, you will find popular universities such as the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta, University College of the North and University of Winnipeg.
The Prairies experience very cold winters, with heavy snowfall, and warmer summers, with high temperatures of 20-30 degrees Celsius (68-86 degrees Fahrenheit). Alberta stakes a claim to having the most comfortable climate in Canada, so if sunshine is important to you, consider universities in cities such as Calgary.
Central Canada
Home to major student cities such as Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, the central provinces of Ontario and Quebec offer students summers that are warm and humid, whilst winters can be cold and snowy.
So if you are planning to study at universities such as the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa and McGill University, you can expect cold temperatures in the winter, where temperatures can drop to below -13 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit), and summer temperatures of up to and above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Atlantic Canada
To the Atlantic east coast of Canada lies the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, in which major universities such as Dalhousie University, Acadia University and University of King’s College are located.
The weather in this region of Canada is largely moderate, with neither extremely hot summers, nor extremely cold winters. Summer temperatures tend to be 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit), whilst winter temperatures can be between -15-5 degree Celsius (5-41 degrees Fahrenheit).
Expect plenty of snow in the winter, and rain in the summer months.
Northern Canada
Comprising the three territories of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Northern Canada is not the place for sun lovers, with short, cool summers and long cold winters. As a result, the majority of the population of Canada live towards the southern border shared with the USA.
Yukon University is located in the territory of Yukon, where students can actually find warm weather during summer months, but for the majority of their time they will be relying upon warm clothing!
Lifestyle and welfare
Healthcare
International students moving to Canada are required in most provinces to obtain health insurance that covers the entire duration of their time in Canada.
Many provinces allow international students to enrol on their healthcare programs, in which case this generally means access to free healthcare for medically necessary procedures, in case you become ill or require urgent medical assistance during your studies.
In provinces that don’t offer access to their healthcare programs to international students, you should seek private healthcare insurance. Many Canadian universities also offer their students access to tailored healthcare insurance schemes.
The following is a quick guide to the availability of public healthcare for international students in the provinces of Canada. In most cases you should make sure that you have arranged for healthcare in the specific province in which you will be living before you travel. There are some exceptions, for example in British Columbia, where you must apply for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you enter Canada.
Please note that availability of public healthcare insurance often comes with requirements such as your study period being of at least six or twelve months, depending upon your province.
| Province | Public healthcare insurance available for international students | Read more/apply |
| Alberta | Yes | Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) |
| British Columbia | Yes | Medical Services Plan (MSP), which typically takes an application period of 3 months to secure. Students must purchase private during until that time. |
| Manitoba | No | International students must apply for the Manitoba International Student Health Plan |
| New Brunswick | Yes | New Brunswick Medicare |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes | Medical Care Plan (MCP) |
| Nova Scotia | No | International students must arrange private health insurance, with many of the education institutions providing healthcare plans. Access to the free Medical Services Insurance (MSI) is available after 12 months residence. |
| Ontario | No | International students must arrange private health insurance, with many of the education institutions providing healthcare plans, usually via the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes | Prince Edward Island (PEI) Health Card, which is available after three months of residence. Students must purchase private insurance during that time. |
| Quebec | Depends upon students nationality | If you are from a country that participates in the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) agreements, you must arrange private health insurance, with many of the education institutions providing healthcare plans. |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | Saskatchewan Health Card |
Leisure
If you are a nature lover, Canada boasts perhaps the world’s finest walks and hiking trails, with expansive national parkland to enjoy in every province.
The land mass of Canada is so vast that the list of places to visit and explore is a very long one, but if you don’t mind dedicating some of your time to travelling, the Canadian Rockies, which stretch between the eastern provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, are perhaps a must-see during your time in Canada, boasting views that no camera could ever do justice.
If organised sport is more your thing, popular sports in Canada include:
- Ice hockey, which is perhaps the most popular sport in Canada, particularly so in the eastern provinces.
- American football, with both the US’s NFL and Canada’s CFL being very popular spectator sports.
- Football/soccer, which is popular in some provinces, and also a popular spectator sport in some areas, with top level teams in the cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
- Basketball, which is played throughout Canada despite being less popular than Hockey and American football, with the Toronto Raptors being the sole Canadian team in the NBA.
- Baseball, which is played throughout Canada, with the Toronto Blue Jays being a particularly popular team to watch, who play in MLB.
With such an abundance of ice and snow during the winter, winter sports such as skating, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and curling are all things that you should consider giving a try. Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather in the winter, and there is no reason that you can’t have a great time in Canada.
Finally, after hiking and exploring the great Canadian outdoors, enjoying some tasty food is the best way to refuel…
Food
Students visiting Canada will be able to find familiar food in most cities and towns in Canada, but there are many regional delicacies to explore and enjoy.
Whilst this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some Canadian food picks to seek out during your studies:
Poutine
Hailing from Quebec and popular throughout many regions of Canada, Poutine is a dish of french fries traditionally topped with gravy and cheese curds, though many popular variations of the dish are also well-worth trying. A very tasty warming meal if you are in need of a treat.
Tourtière
Another dish from French-Canadian Quebec, a Tourtière is a tasty meat and potato pie with flaky pastry.
Canadian Butter Tarts
One of the most popular dessert dishes in Canada, the Butter tart is a sweet, syrup tart with caramel flavours that is often topped with nuts such as Pecans – delicious! Butter tarts may or may not include raisins, and it is your job to decide which works best for you.
Montreal smoked meat
As the name would suggest, hailing from Montreal is Canada’s answer to Pastrami, cured and smoked beef brisket with a peppery flavour, usually served in a sandwich with mustard.
Caribou stew
From the northern territory of Nunavut come this delicious caribou meat and vegetable stew which is hearty and delicious.
Saskatoon berry pie
A traditional dessert dish from the Prairies of Saskatchewan, berry pies are sweet and tangy tart flavour thanks to their filling of Saskatoons berries, which are rich purple in colour. A must try!
Maple syrup
Whilst not everybody in Canada eats Maple syrup everyday, Canada is famed for this delicious sweet syrup that is made from the sap of the Sugar Maple tree. The Sugar Maple predominantly grows towards the east of the country, so Maple syrup is much more popular in provinces such as Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Transport
The quality and availability of public transportation in Canada depends heavily on where you will be living as a student, with buses being the most popular and cost-effective mode of transportation to college and university campus buildings.
Public transportation services in popular student cities include:
| City | Transportation services |
| Vancouver, British Columbia | TransLink operates buses, trains and ferries. Usually students will receive a U-Pass for these services as part of their tuition fees. |
| Calgary, Alberta | The CTrain rail network is the best way to get around major parts of the city including the University of Calgary |
| Edmonton, Alberta | In the city of Edmonton, the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) system of buses and rail routes provide good links to the university and throughout the city. |
| Winnipeg, Manitoba | Winnipeg Transit offers inner city bus routes, but in suburban areas these become less effective and owning a car is preferable. |
| Toronto, Ontario | The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) provides comprehensive routes around the city, including university links. |
| Montréal, Quebec | The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) operates buses and Metro systems, but reports of people feeling unsafe using this transport network means that we recommend travelling by car if possible. |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia | Halifax Transit provides bus and ferry services, with students able to secure transit passes. |
It is possible to commute to your university by bicycle in many of Canada’s cities, with notable examples including Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Victoria and Toronto providing good cycling infrastructure such as dedicated cycling lanes.
If cycling is on your agenda, we recommend asking your chosen university for more information on cycling routes within your city, as they will be able to advise further on the suitability of recommended routes.
Safety
Is Canada a safe place for you as an international student? Yes – Canada is generally a welcoming and safe place in which to study as an international student.
Canada is a very peaceful country, as shown by its ranking of 11th in the world in the Global Peace Index, a ranking which takes into account metrics such as political instability, perceived criminality in society and level of violent crime.
We always recommend taking sensible precautions such as travelling with friends and not travelling alone late at night. You will also find that learning the local language and social norms will go a long way to helping you fit in and enjoy your time during your studies.
Languages
There are two official languages in Canada, English, which is the first language of around 55% of the population, and French, which is the first language of around 22% of the population. This is reflected in the countries of origin of international students in Canada, where French students account for over 20,000 of the current student population.
The majority of Canada’s French speaking population live in the eastern province of Quebec, whilst New Brunswick and Ontario also account for a large French speaking contingent.
Around 20 of the universities in Canada use French as their primary language, including Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université de Saint-Boniface, Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke.
Regardless of the language of tuition of your chosen university course, you should ensure that your standard of English or French is good before beginning your studies.
University cities
Which city should you choose for your studies in Canada? As the nation is so vast, it offers you a wide range of experiences depending on where you pick, here is a selection of some of the cities that are most popular with students:
Toronto
If you would like the big city experience as a student in Canada, look no further than the capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto. With a population around double that of the second largest Canadian city, Calgary, it is also the 4th most populated city in North America.
The city is home to Canada’s top ranking University of Toronto, along with several other notable institutions such as York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, OCAD University and Victoria University.
With plentiful options for sightseeing (for example the Toronto Islands and CN Tower), shopping, good food and bustling social life, you will never be lost for something to do in Toronto during your studies.
Vancouver
On the west coast of the country in the province of British Columbia, Vancouver offers you breathtaking beauty thanks to its Pacific coastline and nearby mountain ranges such as Whistler, home to some of the most famous mountain biking trails in the world.
Alongside the various outdoor pursuits that you can enjoy in and around Vancouver, it is also home to some of the country’s best universities, including the University of British Columbia, University Canada West and Simon Fraser University.
Vancouver is also a good base to visit nearby Victoria by ferry, and if you like the idea of living and studying in a relatively large city close by to masses of outstanding natural beauty, it may be ideal for you.
Victoria
Our next pick is Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia, and much smaller than its neighbouring city Vancouver.
Smaller, but not necessarily worse, Victoria was picked as the worlds best small city in 2023 and 2024 by travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, and is a wonderful place both to visit and in which to study.
Rent and living costs tend to be slightly lower in Victoria than larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto, and it is a charming place in which to live and study, as well as being a popular tourist destination.
Cycling is a well-supported means of transportation in the city, whilst there are plenty of cultural activities to explore during your stay, along with the access to outdoor pursuits that the Pacific coastline offers and the nearby Vancouver Island Ranges.
The most prestigious university in Victoria is the highly-ranked University of Victoria.
Montreal
If you are a native or proficient French speaker, Montreal could be a wonderful place for your studies. A welcoming and multicultural city, Montreal is the second largest city in Canada, and the largest city in the province of Quebec. French is the official language of the city, whilst many in the city are bilingual (French and English).
Areas around the universities in the city have a friendly student population, and whilst winters are cold and harsh, the presence of distinct seasons make Montreal a pleasant place to live in throughout the year.
Montreal also offers plenty of natural beauty, with nearby destinations such as Mount Royal Park, and further afield the Mont-Tremblant National Park.
Montreal is home to 3 excellent universities, including the very highly ranked McGill University and University of Montreal, and Concordia University.
London
Located in the south of the province of Ontario, London is home to the highly-ranked Western University and several colleges such as Fanshawe College. It provides students with a very lively social environment, and tuition in both English and French.
Student visas
If you are an international student who wants to study in Canada for more than 6 months, you are likely to be required to apply for a Canadian study permit before you travel. This will be accompanied by a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on your nationality.
Learn more about Canadian study permits
Costs of studying in Canada
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for international students at Canadian universities are roughly inline with those at comparable universities in countries such as Australia, the USA and the UK. For example, a bachelors degree can cost anything from under $15,000 to over $35,000 per year (USD) at a public university.
Living costs
To be accepted as an international student to Canada, you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your costs of living. This is given as CAN$20,635 (~$14,400) per year if it is just you.
If you wish to study in Quebec, you are required to provide evidence that you have a budget of CAN$15,508 per year (~$10,830) to cover your living expenses.
Your living costs can vary depending on your chosen accommodation and location, with large cities like Toronto and Vancouver being more expensive to live in.
Scholarships
You may be able to find scholarships to help fund your studies in Canada, and there are several options to look at, including:
Study in Canada Scholarships
Study in Canada Scholarships are intended to help international students visit Canada for short-term study opportunities or research exchanges. To qualify for the Study in Canada Scholarships, you must currently be enrolled on a suitable course in one of the qualifying countries.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program
If you are a masters or PhD student at participating Ontario based universities, you can apply for an OGS award, which is merit-based.
Institution scholarships
There also exist several institution based scholarships such as the University of Toronto Admissions Awards and University of British Columbia scholarships for international students.
What can I study?
If you can name a subject to study at university, you will be able to study it in Canada!
With some very highly ranked universities, Canada is a top destination for international students interested in Software engineering and Computing, Business and Finance, AI and Engineering related fields.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to study in Canada?
It is not free to study in Canada, you must be able to prove that you can financially support yourself during your studies as well as paying for your tuition fees. There are scholarships and bursaries available from the government and from universities and colleges that can help with your tuition fees, and these are usually merit based.
Am I allowed to work while I study in Canada?
This depends on your study permit, if it states that you can work off-campus during your studies, you are allowed to work off-campus for a period of up to 24 hours per week without requiring a work permit. You cannot start work before you begin your studies.
Can I stay in Canada after I graduate?
If you want to stay and work in Canada after the completion of your university degree, you need a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Your studies must have been at an eligible school in order to qualify for a PGWP, and the period of time the permit is valid for depends on the type of course you studied, but in general can be up to 3 years.
There are several paths to permanent residence in Canada described on the government website.
Is it hard to find student accommodation in Canada?
Finding student accommodation in Canada is largely dependent on where you will study. Housing is not cheap in Canada, and many cities are currently struggling to meet housing demand.
As a result we recommend making finding suitable accommodation one of your main priorities before deciding to study in Canada. The cheapest accommodation option would be on-campus, but places may be limited.
Living in more rural areas tends to be the cheapest option for private rentals, but you must make sure that you have good transportation options to make travelling for your studies straightforward.